Miletich: If Shamrock won't sign, bring me someone willing to fight

http://mmajunkie.comA former five-time UFC champion, the leader of the well-respected Miletich Fighting Systems gym and a current broadcaster for Strikeforce, MMA pioneer Pat Miletich (29-7-2) has little left to prove in the world of MMA.

That doesn’t mean he’s done trying.

Miletich recently told FiveOuncesOfPain.com that he’s interested in a fight with fellow MMA legend Frank Shamrock (23-10-2). Today, he told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) that Shamrock has been hesitant to commit and that he’ll be happy to take another opponent if needed.

“I’ve verbally agreed,” Miletich said of the matchup. “I’ve heard that Frank did, also, but we’re getting word that he’s being difficult in negotiations and things like that. It’s a little frustrating for me.

“I said if Frank doesn’t want to fight, then give me somebody else, and let’s do it. We’ll see what Frank does on his end, and we’ll go from there.”

A potential Miletich vs. Shamrock contest has been discussed since the early days of the UFC when both were tearing through their respective divisions. Miletich was a dominant welterweight champion from 1998 to 2001, while Shamrock ruled the light heavyweight division from 1997 to 1999.

Both were considered prototypes for modern mixed martial artists, and the 41-year-old Miletich believes an bout between the two would still prove a hit in the public’s eyes.

“There was talk when Frank and I were both champions at the UFC that we were going to fight each other,” Miletich said. “That was a fight I think both of us really wanted to do and thought it was a great idea. One of us could hold a title in two weight divisions. Frank had his disagreement with Zuffa and stuff with their takeover and decided to go somewhere else. It was unfortunate, but I would love to fight Frank.

“I think our names have done a lot for the sport with a lot of things we’ve done throughout the years, and I think it’s a fight that fans would like to see.”

Both Miletich and Shamrock currently work as broadcasters for Strikeforce, and “The Croation Sensation” joked that the organization could really cash in on that fact should a bout be arranged.

“I was actually joking around about it with some of the folks at Showtime,” Miletich said. “It would be funny – put our microphones in our cups and let us commentate our own fight. Just give us a minute-and-a-half between rounds so we could talk a little more.”

While that humerous idea might seem a little far-fetched, Miletich does have other lofty goals. Whether or not Shamrock signs on for the proposed matchup, Miletich isn’t simply looking for a one-and-done return to the cage.

“You never want to get into something just to say you did it,” Miletich said. “That’s not my style.”

In fact, Miletich has his sights set on the top of Strikeforce’s welterweight division: new 170-pound champion Nick Diaz.

“Nick is obviously wrecking people right now,” Miletich said. “Very talented kid. I love watching the kid. … Nick’s got very good hands, very skilled on the ground, obviously. But when you watch people fight him, the people that do well against [the Diaz brothers] have good head movement, and they know how to get out of the way of punches and the things that follow-up after that.

“The guys that are doing bad – Nick’s last fight, the kid never moved his head once and tried to slug with him. Scott Smith didn’t move his head against him. A lot of guys haven’t moved their heads and got themselves in trouble. There’s a little more to it when you’re trying to stand up and box with somebody that moves that well.”

Miletich’s next move remains to be seen, but he appears determined to move from behind the microphone back into the cage. And while the Iowa native is most comfortable at 170 pounds, he said he’ll move all the way to middleweight if Shamrock is willing to fight him outside of California.

All he needs now is for Shamrock to agree.

“Why don’t you get Frank on the air and ask him what the hold up is?” Miletich asked. “That would be great.

“He’s been complaining about his braces for a long time. I’ll remove them for free.”

(Pictured: Pat Miletich)

MMAjunkie.com Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by Gorgeous George, MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Goze. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

The Latest

The man known for cranking submissions to the point of injury added eye-gouging to his repertoire. But is the controversy of Rousimar Palhares too essential to his bizarre, awful appeal for his employers to take any meaningful action against him?

Ronda Rousey’s statistical greatness has already ventured into uncharted territory – just six fights into her UFC career. Check out all the post-fight facts, including Rousey’s latest achievements, about UFC 190.